Bionomics and development of the cabbage maggot, Hylemya brassicae (Wiedemann).

Thesis (M.S.

Exploring Plasmalogen Supplementation in Alzheimer’s Models of Caenorhabditis elegans

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an increasingly prevalent neurodegenerative disease as life expectancy increases. AD patients often have decreased levels of plasmalogens, a class of membrane lipids that are vital for proper neuronal function. Peroxisomal function is necessary for in vivo plasmalogen synthesis, and, because AD patients have irregular peroxisomal levels in brain tissue, we hypothesize that plasmalogen levels can be restored by bypassing dysfunctional peroxisomes. Supplementation of 1-0-alkylglycerols, including batyl alcohol, allows in vivo plasmalogen synthesis independent of the peroxisome. To analyze the efficacy of batyl alcohol in restoring plasmalogen levels, mutant strains (ads-1 and fard-1) of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) with compromised plasmalogen synthesis were supplemented with batyl alcohol and analyzed using GC-MS and HPLC-MS. Plasmalogen levels were assessed by measuring C18:0 fatty acids, which accumulate in ads-1 and fard-1 strains due to their common use at the sn-1 position for plasmalogen synthesis. Batyl alcohol supplementation significantly rescued C18:0 fatty acid levels to control levels; however, brood sizes were not restored at the same concentrations. To improve the supplementation protocol, we developed a liquid culture cultivation system to allow easier small molecule supplementation and equal distribution throughout the culture. Overall, a significant recovery of plasmalogen levels in ads-1 worms was achieved with batyl alcohol, along with the development of a liquid culture system for future small-molecule supplementation studies

Control of Imported Cabbageworm, 1979

Abstract 'Market Victory' cabbage was transplanted to the field on Jun 8. Each treatment consisted of a 20-ft row replicated 4 times and arranged in a randomized complete block design. The soil type was a fine sandy loam. Applications of insecticides were based on 36 in. row spacing. Furrow treatments of Temik were placed down immediately prior to transplanting with the use of a Gandy applicator (Line Tender Model). Sprays were applied with a 3 gallon stainless steel back-pack sprayer at 200 gallons of water/acre. Bay Sir 8514, UC 21865, Larvin and Lannate were applied on Jun 25. Bay Sir 8514, Larvin and Lannate were also applied on Jul 2. Larvae were counted on 6 plants/treatment/replication.</jats:p

Control of Cabbage Maggot, 1981

Abstract ‘Golden Acre’ cabbage was transplanted to the field on May 7, in Sunderland, MA. Twenty plants were transplanted to each plot. Ammonium nitrate at 135 lb/acre was applied on May 3. Treflan (6E) at 1.5 lb ai/acre was applied on May 1 and disced in for weed control. The soil type ws a fine sandy loam and had a pH of 7.0. There were two 25 ft rows per treatment, replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Insecticide applications were based on 36 inch row spacing. All insecticidal treatments were applied with a 3 gal stainless steel backpack sprayer in 150 gal water/acre. Single applications of Dyfonate (4EC) at 1 lb ai/acre, Amaze (6E) at 0.5 lb ai/acre and 1 lb ai/acre were applied on May 14. The remaining treatments were applied on May 14, May 31, and Jun 12. Evaluations were made on Jun 29. Plant mortality due to cabbage maggot was calculated for each treatment. In addition, 5 roots/treatment/replicate were removed. This included a core of soil 3 inches wide X 5 inches deep. Roots and soil were rinsed through a screen to extract pupae and larvae. The total number of pupae plus larvae and cabbage maggot feeding tunnels were recorded. Due to high plant mortality in the control plots, insufficient data were available for analysis of pupal/larval and tunnel counts.</jats:p

Control of Imported Cabbageworm and Cabbage Looper, 1981

Abstract ‘Market Prize’ cabbage was transplanted to the field on Jun 4 in Sunderland, MA. Ammonium nitrate at 130 lb/acre was applied on May 3. Treflan (6E) at 1.5 lb ai/acre was applied and disced the soil on May 1 for weed control. The soil type was a fine sandy loam with a pH of 7.0. There were two 20 ft rows per treatment replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Insecticide applications were based on 3 ft row spacing, applications were made with a 3 gal stainless steel backpack sprayer in 40 gal water/acre.</jats:p

Cabbage Maggot Control, 1979

Abstract 'Market Victory' cabbage was transplanted to the field on Jun 8. Each treatment consisted of a 20-ft row and was replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. The soil type was a fine sandy loam. Insecticide applications were based on 36-in. row spacing. Furrow treatments of Temik were placed down immediately before transplanting with the use of a Gandy applicator, (Line Tender model). Sprays were applied with a 3 gallon stainless steel backpack sprayer. Applications of Amaze, UC 21865, and Diazinon were made on Jun 25. On Jul 7 Amaze and Diazinon were applied, one other application of Diazinon was made on Jul 26. Evaluations were made on Aug 8 by removing 10 roots/treatment/replication, taking a 10 cm diameter core of soil around the root. The roots and soil were rinsed through a screen to separate pupae and larvae from the soil. The number of cabbage maggot tunnels, number of larvae and pupae were recorded for each root.</jats:p